Pros
I’ve genuinely enjoyed the hands-on problem-solving that comes with this role. Every day brings new technical challenges, which keeps the work engaging. My immediate team is collaborative and supportive, and leadership within our department is accessible. The company also does a good job of recognizing technical expertise and rewarding long hours with flexibility when possible. I’ve had the opportunity to mentor newer engineers, which has been personally rewarding. Customer interactions are generally positive, and it feels good to solve real-world problems for them.
Cons
During certain times of the year, the workload becomes unsustainable. Back-to-back site visits, last-minute travel changes, and on-call expectations can lead to 60+ hour weeks without adequate recovery time. While the company says it values work-life balance, field engineers often feel that expectation doesn't match reality. There is also a lack of standardized tools across regions, which means we waste time figuring out inconsistent equipment instead of solving customer issues. Career progression for field roles into management or HQ positions is unclear, and many senior engineers feel stuck.